Megaupload founder refused bail in New Zealand

The Chicago Tribune, 3 February 2012

Publié le :
3 février 2012

Reuters

(Reuters) - A New Zealand court refused an appeal by the founder of online file-sharing site Megaupload.com to be freed on bail on Friday, agreeing with prosecutors there was a risk he would attempt to flee before an extradition hearing.

Kim Dotcom, a German national also known as Kim Schmitz and Kim Tim Jim Vestor, was returned to custody until February 22 ahead of a hearing on an extradition application by the United States.

Prosecutors say Dotcom was the leader of a group that netted $175 million since 2005 by copying and distributing music, movies and other copyrighted content without authorization.